Gasim summoned to police headquarters for second time

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim was summoned for questioning for the second time on Sunday afternoon on charges of offering bribes to lawmakers to vote in favour of impeaching the speaker of parliament.

The business magnate told reporters after nearly two hours at the police headquarters that officers took photos and an audio sample for their investigation.

“This is a case that has been reported by some people and police have to investigate. I appreciate it. They are fulfilling their duty,” he said.

Gasim was first summoned for questioning Wednesday night, two days after the no-confidence motion was defeated in a contentious roll call vote. He was questioned for declaring in a speech that the allied parties would grant tickets for the 2019 parliamentary elections to MPs who vote in favour of the no-confidence motion.

The police also wanted to do a video analysis of a speech, Gasim said, stressing that his appeal was directed at former JP lawmakers who switched to the ruling party.

He vowed to continue to work together with the allied opposition to bring an end to the government’s “tyranny”.